Lock.



E. U. LITTLE.

LOOK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.4, 1911. 993,327, Patented May 23, 1911.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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B. G. LITTLE.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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EDWARD C. LITTLE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCK.

Application filed January 4, 1911.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. LITTLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Locks, of whlch the following is a specification.

The primary purpose of the present invention is to supply novel means for preventing any one from obtaining anothers hat, coat, umbrella, cane, or like articles in public places of assembly, such as theaters, halls and other places where the parties in attendance divest themselves of their outer wraps and place the same in a room or other place for their safe keeping.

The invention provides a rack or holder for each individual, each of the racks or holders being differently designated and each having a particular lock mechanism and key, the latter being numbered or provided with designating matter correspond ing with that of the lock or holder so that the proper key may be readily fitted to the proper lock so as to release the articles placed upon the rack or within the holder for safe keeping.

The lock mechanism of each rack or holder is adapted to be operated by means of a key which may be released only by means of placing a coin or like article in a slot, thereby freeing the key so that the lock mechanism may be operated and the key withdrawn, thereby preventing any one else from opening the lock except by means of the prescribed key.

The .invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combina-- tion of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out .in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the application, Figure 1 is a perspective view, showingthe application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the case containing the operating parts, the cover being removed, the dotted lines showing the position of the coin when depressed and the lever moved to a position for releasing the key. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the key.

The lock mechanism comprises a lock 1 of any make or type and adapted to be operated by means of a key 2. The key has an extra tongue 3 which is designed not to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1911.

Serial No. 600,755.

enter the lock and which cooperates with a lever 4 to prevent turning of the key and a withdrawal of the same from the lock 1 when the latter is open. The lock 1 and adjunctive parts are carried by a movable part 5 which consists of a case having a cover 6. The lever 4 is pivoted at 7 and is formed with an offset portion 8 having a notch 9 and an extension 10. The notch 9 receives the tongue 3 of the key, thereby preventing turning of the key after the same has been introduced into the lock 1 and given a partial turn, thereby preventing withdrawal. of the key from the lock. A spring 11 normally exerts a pressure upon the lever 4 to move the same so as to hold the tongue 3 within the notch 9. The part of the extension adjacent the key is made rounding, as indicated at 12. When the lower end of the lever 4 is depressed to withdraw the notched portion 9 of the lever so as to clear the tongue 3 the key may be turned and the tongue 3 bearing upon the curved edge 12 of the extension 10 moves the lever 4 so as to further depress .its lower end, thereby releasing the coin or other article supported thereby. After the tongue 3 of the key clears the extension 10 the key may be withdrawn from the lock 1 in the usual way, the turning of the key in the lock serving to throw the lock bolt or other locking element into operation in a well known way.

A coin-way 13 is provided within the case or part 5 and the lower end of the lever 4 extends into the same. An extension 14 at one side of the casing or part 5 has a slot at its upper end for the introduction of a coin 15, said extension 14 having an opening therein forming a continuation of the coinway 13. A plunger 16 operates in the upper portion of the case 5 and its lower end extends into the coin-Way 13. A. helical spring 17 normally exerts a pressure upon the plunger 16 to hold the same elevated to withdraw its lower end out of the path of the coin 15. When a coin is introduced into the coin-Way it moves therein until arrested by coming in contact with the lower end of the lever 4. Upon depressing the plunger 16 the coin is forced downward in the coin-way l3 and presses the lower end of the lever 4 to one side of the coin-way suflicient to withdraw the notched portion 9 out of the path of the tongue 3. The lever is held in this position by the coin, which is held between the lower end of the lever 4 and the outer edge or wall of the coin-way 18, it being understood that the plunger 16 when depressed to its lowest point will not cause the coin 15 to clear the lever 4. To prevent upward movement of the coin when released from the plunger 16 the outer wall of the coin-way is curved outwardly, as indicated at 18, the outer curvature being opposite the extremity of the lever 4:. Upon turning the key to operate the lock the tongue 3 rides upon the curved edge 12 of the extension 10 in the manner hereinbefore stated, thereby moving said lever so as to withdraw its lower end from the coin, which latter being liberated drops into the receptacle 19 to which access may be had by means of a locked door.

The lock mechanism may be employed for securing a holder or rack, the latter comprising a shaft 20 and a series of arms 21, 22 and 23. A rod or bar 2A is secured to the shaft 20 and is located in the same plane with the series of arms and is adapted to be confined between the case 5 and its cover 6, the latter being secured when closed by means of the lock 1 in the manner well understood. The arm 21 has a vertical hook 25 at its outer end to engage the brim of a hat. The arm 22 has a horizontal hook 26, which is adapted to span a peg 27 from which a coat or other wrap is adapted to be suspended. The arm 23 has a hook 28 to embrace the upper portion of an umbrella or cane, the lower end of the umbrella or cane being engaged by means of a keeper 29. The rack is adapted to turn to admit of moving the arms away from or toward the wall or other support to which the parts are attached. \Vhen the rack is turned to throw the arms against the wall or like sup port the outer end of the rod or bar. 24c is confined between the case 5 and its cover 6, the latter being secured by the lock 1 in the manner stated. To obtain possession of the key 2 it is necessary to introduce a coin of proper size and determinate value into the coin-way 13 and to press the same downward by means of the plunger 16, thereby moving the lever 4 so as to admit of turning the key 2. After the articles to be secured have been applied to the various arms and the rack moved to secure the same the outer end of the rod or bar 24: is confined between the parts 5 and 6, after which the key 2 is turned to lock the part 6, the turning of the key serving at the same time to effect release of the coin 15, which drops into the receptacle 19. After the part 6 has been locked the key may be withdrawn and is retained by the person until possession of the articles placed upon the rack is desired when the key is introduced into the lock 1 and turned,

thereby opening the lock 1 and the key at the same time riding upon a portion of the lever 4: adjacent the notch 9 moves the lever and when the tongue 3 registers with the notch 9 the lever A is thrown upward by the spring 11 to cause said tongue to enter the notch 9, thereby locking the key. The lock 1 being opened admits of the rack being turned so as to free the articles placed there on. By having the key 2 provided with indicating matter corresponding with the lock it acts as a check so that the proper lock may be readily determined.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is:

1. In combination a lock mechanism comprising a case having a passage, a look, a key for operating the lock provided with a tongue, a lever having a notch to receive the tongue of the key and prevent turning of the latter, said lever having a portion extending into the aforesaid passage, and means for operating the lever and movable in said passage, a plunger for depressing the said lever operating means for moving the lever to withdraw its notched portion from the path of the tongue of the key, said lever operating means being released by a further movement of the lever when operating the key to secure the lock.

2. In combination a casing having a passage, a wall of which is outwardly curved, a lock, a lever having a portion extending into said passage opposite the outwardly curved wall thereof, a key having a tongue to enter the notch of the lever, means for operating the lever movable in the passage, and a plunger for depressing said lever operating means to effect movement of the lever suflicient to withdraw the notched portion thereof out of the path of the tongue of the key.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD C. LITTLE.

WVitnesses:

JOHN A. CoRBrr'r, H. H. BIETENDUEFEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

